Carnal Knowledge

“Jonathan” (Jack Nicholson) is having a pep talk with his bright-eyed roommate “Sandy” (Art Garfunkel) about the latter’s nervous interest in “Susan” (Candice Bergen). Their conversations now proceed to give us a blow by blow description of the evolution of their burgeoning romance, only for “Jonathan” to jump the gun and start an affair of his own with her! They keep that a secret from “Sandy” for a while, and indeed the three become a regular social group, but all the while duplicity is never far away. Indeed, throughout their lives it seems that one is “borrowing” from another - until “Bobbie” (Ann-Margret) appears on the scene and offers “Jonathan” a chance to shack-up with someone. She’s a larger than life character who, in reality, craves certainty. An husband, a child, an home. Thing is, though, with “Sandy” now courting the imposing “Cindy” (Cynthia O’Neal) the whole cycle appears set to start again. Are either of these men ever going to settle down, to find stability and happiness, or is this love triangle scenario destined to prevail to old age? Garfunkel delivers quite well here as the generous spirited and sensitive young lad, but it’s really Nicholson who steals the show as the flawed and obnoxious creature who makes hay when the sun shines, but gradually finds himself becoming lonelier and bereft of that which he craves most. Perhaps it’s because there is so much descriptive dialogue of their peccadilloes, but at times it can come across as a combination of the predatory and the sexually sterile but the roles from Bergen and especially the troubled Ann-Margret give this quite a punch. It’s often photographed like it’s a documentary with us looking head on, unaware of who is speaking, or who is listening, or even who else is the room at all. I found it really quite easy to take a dislike to “Jonathan”, but as it progresses I began to feel a bit of pity, and that’s a testament to some skilful acting and potent writing. It’s interesting that there is female nudity a-plenty here, but Nicholson is noticeably always shielded by a pot plant, or a towel or even some steam!